Ever catch yourself longing for the “good old days”—when life felt simpler, less rushed, more grounded?

Maybe the truth is that life wasn’t always easier back then, but there was something valuable in the way people used to live: walking places, knowing your neighbors, talking face to face. In today’s busy, sprawling world, those things can feel out of reach. But what if we could bring some of it back—not just in theory, but in how we design our lives?

Our Journey Building a Life Within Reach

One of the best lifestyle choices we’ve made was to build our life within a five-minute radius. Groceries, school, work, the bank—everything essential is close to home. It’s a quiet boundary we set early in our marriage, and it has paid off in big ways.

No long commutes. No hours lost in traffic. Just time—time we can spend decompressing, hanging out in the backyard with our kids, or sitting down for dinner without being exhausted.

It’s not always possible for everyone. Jobs, finances, or housing markets don’t always allow for this kind of convenience. But for us, it became a non-negotiable. And even now, when we sometimes wonder whether we need a bigger house or a different setup, we always come back to the same question:

Is more space worth losing what we’ve built—this stress-free, deeply rooted life where everything we value is close by?

So far, the answer has been no. What we have is rare and precious. And it reminds us that the way we choose to structure our life deeply shapes our mental health.

The Four Legs of a Meaningful Life

A few years ago, we came across a helpful framework from financial author Andrew Hallam, who described life as a four-legged table. If one leg is missing, the table topples. The four legs are:

1. Physical and Mental Health
2. Relational Health
3. Financial Health
4. Sense of Purpose

That really resonated. Because if we’re being honest, we often try to overcompensate in one area while ignoring another. We pursue work to the point of burnout, hoping financial security will solve our stress. Or we chase purpose while neglecting health or relationships. But the truth is: it all matters.

And how we live—where we live, how long we spend in the car, how much margin we have in our day—impacts all four.

Let’s Talk About Money (Yes, Really)

It might feel awkward, but we can’t talk about lifestyle design without talking about money. Finances aren’t everything, but they are something. Research shows that financial security—enough money—is directly linked to well-being, especially at lower income levels.

People often say, “Money doesn’t matter,” especially when talking about passion or purpose. And while it’s true that money isn’t the only factor, let’s be real: it’s hard to live with peace of mind if you’re constantly worried about paying rent or stuck in a job that’s draining your soul because you can’t afford a break.

So the question becomes:

What’s “good enough” for you?

What amount lets you live simply, meet your needs, and say yes to the things that matter most?

When we moved to our town, we looked up the median household income. And we set a quiet goal: to reach that number with just one income, so we could have flexibility as a family. That number became a guide—helping us make career and business choices not just based on passion, but on possibility. It also helped us draw boundaries on buying a house or toys that would stretch us beyond that income.

The Hidden Power of Boundaries

So many of the lifestyle “wins” we’ve experienced—less stress, more family time, deeper connection—have come down to one thing:

Clear boundaries.

• Living close to the places we need to go.
• Choosing not to chase every upgrade.
• Being realistic about financial goals.
• Saying “no” to a longer commute, even if it meant saying “no” to a bigger house.

It’s not glamorous. But it’s peaceful. And that peace ripples out—into our marriage, our parenting, our sense of purpose, and our overall mental health.

The Takeaway

You can’t control everything in life, but you can make intentional choices about how you live it.

Maybe you can’t live five minutes from everything—but could you shorten your commute by ten? Could you rethink your financial goals with “good enough” in mind? Could you protect some space in your day for rest, connection, and purpose?

These choices—big or small—aren’t just about convenience. They’re about designing a life that actually works.

And that’s something worth fighting for.

If you're struggling to communicate about financial boundaries, goal setting, or you're navigating a life change, we are here to help. Our team of therapists will offer tools and space to guide you through decision making, communication, and framing your thoughts and emotions.

You can book using https://lindsaytsang.janeapp.com

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Photo by Honbike on Unsplash